“The Most Dangerous Game”

By: Richard Connell

Journal

“Precisely,” said the general. “That is why I use them. It gives me pleasure. They can reason, after a fashion. So they are dangerous.”

What is the general referring to? What is Rainsford reaction to the general’s hobby?

Freytag’s Pyramid (pg. 9)

Freytag’s Pyramid for “Most Dangerous Game”

With your partners, draw what Freytag’s Pyramid look like for “Most Dangerous Game.”

Don’t forget to include all the aspects: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution.

Journal (for homework)

Imagine you are Rainsford and you have just gone to your room after dinner with General Zaroff.

Write a journal entry from Rainsford’s perspective about your feelings about Zaroff and what you learned about his favorite hobby. What do you think will happen tomorrow?

Use sensory details and descriptions in your journal entry.

Journal

Did Rainsford do the right thing at the end of the story? Defend or criticize his act and explain your reasons.

Journal: Manhunters

• How is the discussion between Dennis, Mac, and Frank similar or different with the one between General Zaroff and Rainsford? Give specifics from the clip and the story.

Protagonist vs. Antagonist

Protagonist = the leading character in a movie, novel, short story, etc.

Antagonist = a person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something

Who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist in “The Most Dangerous Game?”

Character Foil

Character Foil = a minor character whose character traits highlight those of the main character

Ex: “Big Bang Theory” = Penny is the foil to Sheldon

Ex: Romeo & Juliet = Mercutio is the foil to Romeo

Ex: “Most Dangerous Game”: Whitney is the foil to Rainsford

Close Read

Pg. 22-23: “We should have some good hunting...The world is made of two classes - the hunters and the huntees.”

What does this show about Rainsford? How does the character of Whitney help us as the readers better understand Rainsford?

Character Foil

What other instances is Whitney a foil for Rainsford?

Journal (for homework)

“He could stay where he was and wait. That was suicide. He could flee. That was postponing the inevitable.” (pg. 38)

As the reader, what do we learn about Rainsford’s options? What could he be feeling?

Journal

How did the game end? What do you think Zaroff meant when he thought “the American hadn’t played the game?”

Close Read

Pg. 29-30: “The general smiled the quiet smile of success...Hunting? Good God, General Zaroff, what you speak of is murder.”

Do you agree with Rainsford or Zaroff? Explain your reasoning.

Characterization

How does Connell describe General Zaroff?

With your partners, draw a picture and write a short description based on the adjectives, specific words that Connell uses to describe Zaroff.

Journal

• For the characterization activity, what kinds of things did you look for when creating your Zaroffs?

• What kinds of quotes did you look for?

Foreshadowing

Connell uses foreshadowing to elude to the reader what will happen between Rainsford and Zaroff.

With your partner, find 3 examples (quotes and page numbers) from story.